How University of Michigan Robotics Team Uses Bambu Lab to Iterate 10x Faster

From Weeks to Hours: The Bambu Lab Difference

University of Michigan's Michigan Task-Based Robotics team has transformed their robot development process by adopting Bambu Lab 3D printers. What used to take days now takes hours — and the change came from something as simple as reliable, consistent prints.

The 53-member student team competes in VEX robotics tournaments across the US, Canada, and China, including the VEX Robotics World Championship. With competition deadlines driving rapid design cycles, the old workflow was a bottleneck.

The Problem: Inconsistent Results

Before Bambu Lab, the team relied on older FFF printers that required constant calibration. Team members spent considerable effort dialing in printers before they could reliably produce usable parts. This meant 3D printing was treated as a secondary option rather than a core part of prototyping.

Certain components were avoided entirely because the variability and surface quality of prints made them unsuitable for high-speed or high-torque applications.

The Solution: Plug and Play Manufacturing

The introduction of Bambu Lab printers changed everything. New team members could onboard quickly, design parts, and begin printing with minimal training. The consistency of prints meant PLA-CF could be used confidently for final components — giving improved strength-to-weight ratios that would be difficult to achieve with traditional metal manufacturing.

Ease of use and print consistency allowed 3D printing to move from a secondary option to a core part of prototyping and production.

What They Print

The team uses a strategic material approach:

• Standard PLA for early prototyping — ensuring dimensional accuracy and repeatability
• PLA-CF (carbon fiber reinforced) for final components — achieving strength with low weight

They've also invested time in refining slicing and post-processing techniques, particularly for gear development where layer lines could affect performance.

Why This Matters

This case study represents a broader trend: desktop 3D printers are now reliable enough for competitive robotics, not just prototyping. For educators and student teams considering their manufacturing options, Bambu Lab (and similar CoreXY printers) offer a compelling alternative to traditional machining — at a fraction of the cost.

The Michigan team's experience shows that when printers just work, students can focus on design rather than maintenance.